READINGS. SITE. PARTI. DANCE CENTRE. PRINCIPAL STUDIO.
Swiss Pavilion. Hannover 2000. Peter Zumthor. The Swiss Pavilion, also called ‘the sound box’, was a temporary building for the 2000 World Expo in Hannover, Germany. It was designed by Swiss Architect Peter Zumthor. USE OF TIMBER In the Swiss Pavilion as well as in many of his buildings he uses unSEASONED wood to allow the nature of the wood to be apparent. The intuition of his design originates from the everyday image of stacked timber in a carpenter’s stockpile or warehouse. A total amount of 45.000 boards of Swiss larch and Scottish pine were used and held together by steel cables that were connected to spring tie rods. No use of glue, nails or screws was necessary. The wood wOULD expand and contract over the course of the exposition, and he embraceD this as part of the design. It was expected that during exposition the building would shrink by 120 mm as the wood dried out and was compressed under the weight of the steel and springs. In some areas whole walls will deform and warp, which Zumthor THOUGHT WOULD ADD character TO the building Zumthor’s Church San Benedetg in Sumvitg (Switzerland) is also made from untreated wood, open to sun and weathering, and over time the south facing side has blackened and the north facing side now appears silvery. By introducing natural elements aNd phenomena to his buildings they “reflect the passage of time”. The pavilion was allowed to be penetrated by light, wind and rain so that it would change over time. GESAMKUNSTWERK The Sound Box is not only an excellent example of how the use of exposed timber can make the building almost as a living thing. It is also a ‘Gesamtkunstwerk’, a total work of art. The main idea is that the Sound box is based on the notion of a cultured host who offers a place for repose and contemplation. This is done through the collaboration of architecture, music, literature, epicure and fashion design, to CREATE the ultimate event. Sound Another name for the pavilion is the “Swiss Sound Box” but Zumthor like to refer to it as ‘Klangkorper’, which is German for ‘sounding body’. The meaning of this I two; to start with, the whole building is a musical instrument. When the rain hits the galvanized gutters it is like God and nature play ‘the instrument’. Real musicians were also performing in the space. Usually in a small group they were playing precisely timed to a three hour plan. The musicians had to be constantly open to what was going on around them, they had to react to the audience, the atmosphere and other musicians. Although following the plan the sound would be different every time according to who were present and the overall mood of the pavilion. Other sounds made by the visitors or staff of the pavilion ie. The clinking of glasses, hissing of coffee machines or chatting people affectED the musician’s work and formED the complete sound. Smell & taste The sticky resin that the timber produceD would add a rather strong odour that would always BE present in the building. This in combination with the smell and tasting of Swiss food and drinks is also a very important part of the ‘Gesamkunstwerk’ IDEA. Three bars sOLD examples of Swiss food. The selection WAS modest and minimal, but allowED visitors to try delicacies from the hosting country. Sight Plinio Bachmann was the “lightscript” coordinator. The idea was to project words on to the walls THAT WOULD run through the whole structure. The words projected WERE words associated with Switzerland, traditional songs, sayings, important historical events etc. words cOULD be meaningful or humorous, they WERE diverse, the mood WAS constantly changing and WAS effected by these words. The effect WAS abstract as no references WERE given. The walls appearED both solid and permeable: as seen from walking through the pavilion they haD a solid nature, yet viewed face on one cOULD see other people in the building through the slatted walls. Touch The musicians, bar staff and guides all wore specially designed outfits called “sound box clothing” by Ida Gut. They WERE designed to be comfortable and HAD derived from an intense study of how the body feels when wearing them.
4